From glittering gold domes to vibrantly colored illuminated manuscripts, this course examines Islamic art and architecture from the Indian subcontinent to the eastern Mediterranean from the fifteenth to mid-nineteenth centuries. This period corresponds to the rise of major Islamic empires, most notably the Mughals, Safavids, and Ottomans, whose capital cities became booming centers of art and architecture. This class will explore the artistic production of these empires and consider the rich cross-cultural connections between them, as well as their relationships with the artistic traditions of both Europe and East Asia.